Every now and again, I like to think outside of the box. And when you have programs like Excel to help you, I thought why not draw up a table which shows us how teams are getting on since the second half of the season started. Obviously, we all know what we ended the first half of the season on 20 points after a great, unexpected draw against Tottenham. We've now played 4 games since the start of the second half of the season. Villa (away), Arsenal (home), Sunderland (away) and Chelsea (home). So how exactly are we faring compared to our peers since the 20th game? Have a look in the table that I put together this afternoon (beats doing the hoovering...) and let me know your thoughts - you may have to click it to enlarge the image! The plan is to update the table as the rest of the season progresses and repost it every so often. The way I see it is that as long as we keep the relegation threatened teams below us in this table, it will actually mean that we are pulling further away from the relegation zone. An interesting thought, and a possible different angle to look at how our season is panning out.
Haha, I thought that when I put it together! Wigan had a shocking first half to the season, and they've started the second half with 4 losses... Not looking good for them at all!
Very true, Wolves and Wigan will have to suddenly pick up points like a top 8 side if they are to get enough points to avoid the drop. Bolton and Blackburn are looking more solid now though, even if unspectacular. I think that realistically, we haven't got anything to worry about. But until the points are on the board you just never know...
Chelsea & Arsenal at home , Villa & an in form Sunderland away for 7 points is fantastic . Rather than teams finding us out the 2nd half , were going to find the other teams out IMO
Updated after today's results - everyone has now played 4 games since the half way mark. (Click to enlarge)
Were10 points from relegation with 15 games to play . The bottom 3 teams are having a tough time averaging . 8 of a point per game little on make it up on us . Plus 35 or 36 points will keep you up this season IMO .
It's a lot tighter at the top isn't it? Normally after 4 games of the season there's one or two teams with maximum points, and what's striking is every team has dropped at least 3 points in the last 4 games! It really is anyone's guess who'll get relegated this year!
Sunderland are on a roll. Anyone fancy a cheeky wager that they'll be surprise champions this season?
If we're doing a stats thread then I've got my own benchmarks for the season's progress. In each group of 5 games, aim for 6 points (1.2 points a game wiould get us to 45/46 for the season.) We've been very consistent in achieving this: Man City (A) 0pts Wigan (H) 1 Sunderland (H) 1 Arsenal (A) 0 WBA (H) 3 TOTAL 5 POINTS Chelsea (A) 0pts Stoke (H) 3 Norwich (A) 0 Wolves (A) 1 Bolton (H) 3 TOTAL 7 POINTS Liverpool (A) 1pts Man Utd (H) 0 Aston Villa (H) 1 Blackburn (A) 0 Fulham (H) 3 TOTAL 5 POINTS Newcastle (A) 1pts Everton (A) 0 QPR (H) 1 Tottenham (H) 1 Aston Villa (A) 3 TOTAL 6 POINTS Arsenal (H) 3pts Sunderland (A) 0 Chelsea (H) 1 WBA (A) ?? Norwich (H) ?? TOTAL ?? POINTS A win against WBA or Norwich will keep the tally moving along nicely.
Interesting for sure. Blackpool's implosion started at the half way mark as I recall and we're a month past that now. Despite the negativity here pointing out we're 9 points off relegation I'd concentrate on the fact we're only 3 off 8th! We need to keep this momentum up on Saturday. A winnable game imo.
Sunderland are on a roll. Anyone fancy a cheeky wager that they'll be surprise champions this season? There, that looks better
